The Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act - Contact the State of NH for Shoreline Help
2020 fact sheet
Do you need a shoreland permit? https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/shoreland
A STATE SHORELAND PERMIT is required for most new construction, excavation and filling activities within the Protected Shoreland. (See definitions below) Forest management not associated with shoreland development or land conversion and conducted in compliance with RSA 227-J:9 and agricultural activities and operations defined in RSA 21:34-a and governed by RSA 430 are exempt from the provisions of the SWQPA. Projects that receive a permit under RSA 482-A, e.g., beaches and retaining walls do not require a shoreland permit. A complete list of activities that do not require a shoreland permit can be found on the Shoreland Program Page by visiting www.des.nh.gov.
250 feet from Reference Line THE PROTECTED SHORELAND:
Impervious Surface Area Limitation. If a homeowner or developer wishes to exceed 30% impervious surface coverage of the area of the lot within the protected shoreland, a stormwater management system designed and certified by a professional engineer that will not concentrate stormwater runoff or contribute to erosion must be implemented and if any grid segment within the waterfront buffer does not meet the minimum required 50 point tree, sapling, shrub and groundcover score, each deficient grid segment must be planted with additional vegetation to at least achieve the minimum required score. If a homeowner or developer wishes to exceed 20% impervious area, a stormwater management plan must be implemented to infiltrate increased stormwater from development.
Other Restrictions/ Notes:
- No establishment/expansion of salt storage yards, auto junk yards, solid waste and hazardous waste facilities.
- Setback requirements for all new septic systems are determined by soil characteristics.
- 75 feet for rivers and areas where the there is no restrictive layer within 18 inches and where the soil down gradient is not porous sand and gravel (perc>2 min.).
- 100 feet for soils with a restrictive layer within 18 inches of the natural soil surface.
- 125 feet where the soil down gradient of the leachfield is porous sand and gravel (perc rate equal to or faster than 2min/in.).
- In accordance with RSA 485-A, when selling developed waterfront property, a Site Assessment Study is required for all properties with on-site septic that are contiguous to or within 200 feet of waterbodies jurisdiction under the SWQPA.
- For more information relative to site assessments, contact the NH Subsurface Systems Bureau at (603) 271-3711.
- In accordance with RSA 485-A:17, an Alteration of Terrain Permit is required for any project that proposes to disturb more than 50,000 sq ft of contiguous terrain if any portion of the project is within the protected shoreland or disturbs an area having a grade of 25% or greater within 50 feet of any surface water.
150 feet from Reference Line NATURAL WOODLAND BUFFER LIMITATIONS:
- At least 25 percent of the area between 50 feet and 150 feet from the reference line must be maintained in an unaltered state.
50 feet from Reference Line WATERFRONT BUFFER and PRIMARY BUILDING SETBACK:
- All primary structures must be set back at least 50 feet from the reference line. Towns may maintain or enact greater
- setbacks.
- Within 50 feet from the reference line, a waterfront buffer must be maintained. Within the waterfront buffer, tree coverage is managed with a 25 x 50 foot grid and point system. Trees and saplings may be removed provided the sum score of the remaining trees, saplings, shrubs and groundcover within the affected grid segment is at least 25 points. (see Vegetation Maintenance within the Protected Shoreland FACT SHEET)
- No natural ground cover shall be removed except for a footpath to the water that does not exceed 6 feet in width and does not concentrate stormwater or contribute to erosion.
- Natural ground cover must remain intact. No cutting or removal of vegetation below 3 feet in height (excluding previously existing lawns and landscaped areas). Stumps, roots, and rocks must remain intact in and on the ground unless specifically approved by the department.
- Pesticide and herbicide applications can be applied by a licensed applicator only.
- Only low phosphorus, slow release nitrogen fertilizer can be used beyond 25 feet of the reference line. Only limestone may be used within 25 feet of the reference line.
REFERENCE LINE: The reference line is the point from which setbacks are determined. For coastal waters it is the highest observable tide line; for rivers it is the ordinary high water mark and for lakes and ponds it is the surface elevation listed on the Consolidated List of Waterbodies subject to the SWQPA.
CONSTRUCTION: Erecting, reconstructing or altering any structure(s) that result in an increase in impervious area.
EXCAVATION: To dig, remove, or form a cavity or hole within the ground with mechanized equipment.
FILL: To place or deposit materials such as rocks, soil, gravel, sand or other such materials.
UNALTERED STATE: vegetation allowed to grow without cutting, limbing, trimming, pruning, mowing, or other similar activities except as needed for plant health, normal maintenance and renewal.
View SWQPA brochure (8 mb) Seasonal Dock Notification for Lakes and Ponds (34kb) Tree Cutting Outline
For more information, please visit the DES Shoreland Website at www.des.nh.gov or Fema for Flood Zone Maps
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